"Substantial statement" expected during Putin's China visit

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BEIJING, May 15 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will make a "substantial" statement during Putin's visit, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday.

At the invitation of Xi, Putin will pay a state visit to China and attend a summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) from May 20 to 21 in Shanghai.

Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said at a press briefing that the two leaders will exchange views on cooperation, coordination in international affairs and major issues of common concern.

It will be Putin's first China tour since Xi took office and the second meeting between the two presidents this year.

The two sides will show willingness to firmly support each other to adhere to their own development path compliance with national conditions as well as strengthen strategic coordination on major international affairs, said Cheng.

The two presidents will also witness the signing of a series of important bilateral cooperation agreements, he said.